Leucocytozoon

1. Leucocytozoon Presentation by: Sara Meyers Nicole Haight

2. Leucocytozoon • It is the most important blood protozoa of birds • It infects both wild and domestic host birds • Over 60 different species of Leucocytozoon are found in various birds • Belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa • First seen by Danilewsky in 1884

3. Hosts • Definitive host: Birds, both domestic and wild • Intermediate host/vector : Black flies (family Simuliidae) • Notable species: ~L. simondi- ducks, geese and swans ~L. smithi- wild and domistic turkeys ~L. caulleryi- chickens

4. Geographic Distribution • Cases of Leucocytozoon have been reported all over, except Antarctica, due to the inability for the vector to survive

6. Morphology • Gametocytes are 12-14 µm long on a fixed smear- up to 22 µm in living cells • Macrogametocytes have a red staining nucleus • Microgametocytes have a pale staining diffuse nucleus

7. Leucocytozoonosis • Young birds are more susceptible, older birds are more resistant • Infection is seasonal, usually when the weather warms up, this is when vectors are more available • Survivors obtain immunity from re-infection, but often suffer chronic, low levels of infection - reservoirs for parasites • Sudden onset of infection, spreads quickly

8. Clinical Signs • Often Asymptomatic • Anemia • Elevated leukocyte count • Enlarged and necrotic liver • Enlarged spleen - up to 20x its normal size! • Fatal if brain or heart tissue are destroyed • Emaciation • Difficulty breathing • Weakness or lameness in one or both legs

9. Treatment • Control the vector populations • No vaccines are currently available for general use

10. Work Cited • Atkinson, Carter T. “Chapter 24: Hemosporidiosis” Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases: Birds. pp. 193-200. 2008. http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_24.pdf • Janovy, John Jr. and Roberts, Larry S., Gerald D. Schmidt and Larry S. Robert’s Foundations of Parasitology, 7th edition, 2005.